Largs Viking Festival 2019 Programme
We are currently working on the varied family friendly Programme for the 2019 Festival, from 31 August to 8 September, so have left the 2018 Programme online to give readers an indication of what is normally on offer. We hope to have the 2019 Programme on-line from mid-July.
While we do everything we can to deliver the Programme as printed, circumstances outwith our control do occur where performers are unable to meet their commitments, particularly the Military whose participation is always subject to operational requirements. We therefore reserve the right to change the programme as may be necessary but will always endeavour to provide an alternative event.
PLEASE NOTE: For reasons of safety, the flying of drones in the vicinity of the Festival locations is strictly prohibited.
This year the re-enactment group Swords of Dalriada will be in the Viking Village with Viking traders from Germany, Sweden and Ireland. Come and see how the Vikings lived in our extended living history 13th Century Viking Village. Entry fee of £5 Adults, £3 children, students and Concessions (over 60s) with Under 5s FREE gives admission throughout the day of purchase.
The Village opens at 11 a.m. every day with last admission at 4.30 pm. Please note that the Village closes on the Opening Day, 1 September, from 12.30 to 1.45 pm to enable the Vikings to participate in the Opening Parade and as required to facilitate Viking Skirmishes.
School visits to the Village are welcomed and normally double up with a visit to Vikingar! the town’s all year round Viking experience. Please contact Vikingar! on 01475 689777 for further details.
As well as our Viking Village there will also be:
A Scottish Food and Craft Fayre – Come and enjoy a shopping experience with a difference.
Owl Magic – with us every day, weather permitting. All the owls on show have been hand reared and are used to being handled.
Fun Fair – present on the Promenade Car Park throughout the Festival.
Largs Labyrinth – Situated behind St Columba’s Scottish Episcopal Church in Aubery Crescent, just a short walk to the North from the Festival Site. It offers a sacred space, the chance to take a mini-pilgrimage, and to gain a new perspective. “A maze is for losing yourself in, but a labyrinth is where you may find yourself”.
At weekends,there will be aerobatic displays, on-stage entertainment and a variety of street performers on the Promenade and at various locations in the town including The Belfagan Women’s Morris Side comprising dancers and musicians from the West Lakes area of Cumbria on 1 September and the Border Reivers Morris on 8 September and hope they enjoy their time with us.
The following events are FREE unless otherwise shown – all times are approximate:
Saturday, 1st September
1.00 pm Opening parade from Morrisons to the Viking Village on the Esplanade
1.30 pm Official opening by Madam Pauline Hunter of Hunterston, Chief of Clan Hunter.
1.45 pm Largs Boys Brigade Pipe Band
2.00 pm St John’s Scottish Country Dancing.
2.30 pm Irvine and Dreghorn Brass Band
3.00 pm Aerobatic Display: Lauren Wilson is a former British Aerobatic Champion and has thrilled UK audiences for the last five years. Lauren will amaze you with her handling of her Pitts Special (weather permitting)
Have a sneak preview here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcBPKb2Y7z8&feature=youtu.be
3.30 pm Strathclyde University Jazz Orchestra
4.15 pm Samba Workshop
Sunday 2nd September
1.00 pm Children’s Circus Skills in the Arena presented by Ringmaster Parties.
2.00 pm Les Gitanes Gypsy Swing/Jazz Manouche
3.00 pm Clyde Coast Strathspey and Reel Society
4.00 pm Les Gitanes Gypsy Swing/Jazz Manouche
Thursday 6th September
7.00 – 10.00 pm Mo-town Music Evening
8.00 pm Hakon Hakonsson Lecture. Organised by Largs & District Museum & Historical Society.
Friday 7th September
7.00 – 10.00 pm Bavarian Stompers Live Cabaret
Saturday 8th September
1.30 pm Arkansas Ramblers
2.30 pm St John’s Scottish Country Dancing.
3.00 pm Coastguard display off the RNLI Station on the Promenade.
3.00 pm Cowal Community Orchestra
4.15 pm James McCreight entertains
7.00 – 10.00 pm Live entertainment – Various Acts
8.00 – 9.15 pm Viking Festival of Fire with torchlit parade starting at the Viking Village at 8.00 pm for a skirmish, fire dancer, burning of Viking longboat and spectacular fireworks display at Broomfields.
Note: The parade route includes a hilly section that may not be suitable for adults in wheelchairs. This is due to a section of the Promenade being closed as part of the required safety zone for the fireworks display.
Sunday 9th September
12.30 pm Children’s Circus Skills in the Arena presented by Ringmaster Parties.
1.30 pm Reely Jiggered
2.30 pm James McCreight entertains
3.00 pm Red Devils Freefall Team (Weather permitting)
Please note that although the Display Team are highly qualified and capable, there is always the possibility of an unforeseen accident or incident. Spectators who watch the display do so at their own risk with regard to what they witness. No related spectator claims will be supported.
3.15 pm The McNeill Sisters
4.15 pm Largs Churches Together: Open Air Service of thanksgiving for the Festival.
FRINGE EVENTS BEING HELD BY OTHER ORGANISATIONS
Saturday 25 August
10 am to 4.30 pm Largs Flower Show, Dunn Memorial Hall, Bath Street, Largs. Primary School children are invited to enter for the Largs Viking Festival Cup for the best exhibit of a Viking figure made using flowers, greenery and other natural materials.
Saturday 1 September
12 Noon- Duck Race from the Gogo Bridge run by Largs Rotary Club
